From May 22 to June 4, law enforcement officers throughout New Jersey will be stepping up enforcement and education of the state’s primary seat belt law.
The enforcement and education campaign comes as part of the nationwide Click It or Ticket mobilization.
The goal of the program is to increase the statewide safety belt usage to 88 percent. The current safety belt usage rate in New Jersey is 86 percent, and the rate has steadily risen during the last eight years.
In 2005, there were 757 motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey in which a large percentage were not wearing a safety belt. Safety belt use saves lives and prevents injuries.
Between 1975 and 2000, safety belts prevented 1,350,000 fatalities and 3.8 million injuries nationwide, saving $585 billion in medical and other costs.
Safety belt use is especially important for teens and young adults. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people age 15 to 34 in the United States.
During the mobilization period May 22 to June 4, the Lambertville Police Department will conduct a zero tolerance safety belt enforcement campaign. Motorists who are not buckled up will be issued a ticket.
"High visibility enforcement saves lives," said Roberto Rodriquez, director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. "Our goal is to make sure that all motor vehicle occupants are property restrained on every trip."
The State of New Jersey is committed to the Click It or Ticket strategy. Tickets are a strong deterrent, and the results are meaningful fewer deaths on the roads.
A 14-year-old juvenile from New Hope has been identified as being responsible for numerous incidents involving criminal mischief and thefts from vehicles that were parked in Lambertville.
In several of the incidents, hood ornaments and emblems were ripped from the vehicles, which caused damage to the paint and finish of the cars.
Charges are pending as police feel the juvenile did not act alone.
Mohamed Rahman, 23, of Lawrenceville was charged Sunday for drunken driving after being stopped on Route 29.
Police stopped Mr. Rahman at 2:30 a.m. after observing his license plate light was out, police said.
He also was charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain lights and released without bail.
Arias Flavio, 23, of Lambertville was charged with drunken driving Monday after police received a call from an ambulance driver about an erratic driver.
Police spotted the vehicle on Route 29 in the area of Mr. Hope Street at 2:30 p.m. The ambulance driver, who was transporting a patient to the Hunterdon Medical Center from Hopewell Township, observed Mr. Flavio’s vehicle swerving back and forth as it traveled north on Route 29.
Mr. Flavio also was charged with careless driving, unlicensed driving and failure to maintain lane and released without bail.
Jonah Ringel, 25, of Lambertville was arrested on a warrant after being stopped Saturday.
Police stopped a vehicle for speeding on Route 29 in the area of the Laceworks complex. Mr. Ringel was a passenger in the vehicle.
Mr. Ringel had a warrant for his arrest from Raritan Township for failure to appear on driving while suspended charges.
He posted $241 bail and was released.
May 10 at 10:55 a.m., there was a vehicle and bicycle accident on Route 179 near Route 202.
The driver of a vehicle driven by Sam Rocco, 22, of Stockton was exiting from the shopping complex, stopped and did not see any vehicle coming, police said. He was struck by a bike ridden by John Rees, 49, of Sugan Road, New Hope, who had crossed the highway to avoid the intersection of Route 202.
Mr. Rees had minor injuries.
May 10 at 7 p.m., a resident reported her credit card information has been stolen, and a number of purchases made on the card.
The victim did not know the information had been stolen until she was contacted by her bank. The victim had not lost the credit card.
Police will be working with the bank and other agencies to try and determine how the information was obtained.
May 11 at 3:30 a.m., there was a one-vehicle accident on Aquetong Road near Covered Bridge Road.
A vehicle driven by Francisco Candido-Ramirez, 29, of Masher Street, Philadelphia was on Aquetong Road when the driver reportedly fell asleep, lost control of his vehicle and rolled over, police said.
The driver received minor injuries, but refused medical treatment.
Police are warning residents that people are calling and soliciting money for organizations, asking for credit card numbers.
Police are advising that no one should be given credit card information by phone for any type of fundraising. This is one way people become victims of credit card theft.